1)    Customization: We firmly believe that Himalayan climbing should not be a cookie-cutter “one-size-fits-all” approach or even a “two-sizes-fits-all” approach. We offer the largest variety of expedition options (see “expedition options”) and have created new and novel approaches to climbing Cho Oyu so that you can have the expedition that fits your needs and your budget. Please look closely at out expedition options and contact us directly for more information. We want you to have the best complete Cho Oyu experience from start to finish. As a smaller team, we can fully customize your expedition to you, and in fact we encourage you to customize your program. Our personalization and client care are second to none. DON’T get lost in the numbers and join a large team where quality and personal attention suffer. You and your Cho Oyu climb are too important.

2)    Best Value: We guarantee you the best expedition at the best price. We implore you to do your homework and look closely at what others offer in terms of customization, base camp accommodations, quality of food, guide experience, logistics, hotels, acclimatization schedule, Sherpa expertise, personal service and professionalism. We firmly believe that comfortable, well-nourished, healthy climbers are strong and successful climbers on the mountain. A Cho Oyu climb is too important to not look closely at the details and we are here to answer your questions. We want you feel 100% confident in joining our expedition. We have created an expedition that incorporates everything that will make you successful and have stripped it of every aspect that could hinder your success. We have spared no expense and yet still offer you the best rates in the industry. You will NOT find a better value.

3)    CTSS Owner Mike Hamill oversees the expedition: Mike Hamill, 6 times Everest summiteer, 8 x Cho Oyu summiteer and leader of 25 x 8000m expeditions has custom designed and oversees all the logistics and execution of our Himalayan programs. 

4)    The best guides: This is hugely important- please research the quality and experience of your guides thoroughly. All of our guides have stood on top of Himalayan peaks, most of them many times, and have proven themselves at altitude time and again. Don’t pay top dollar for inexperienced guides.

5)    “Cho Oyu Executive”: With the roll-out of our “Cho Oyu Executive” add on option this year we are redefining what the Himalayan climbing experience is, from start to finish. Some climbers will choose our traditional service option and will no doubt live in excellent style and comfort. Those that choose our ‘Cho Oyu Executive” option will live in unparalleled comfort and luxury- the best Cho Oyu has to offer. This extra can be added on to any of our climbing options. (Please see our “Cho Oyu Executive” option for more info) Don’t go with another outfitter and be left wanting. We firmly believe that comfortable, well-fed climbers perform much better at altitude and are more successful.

6)    Highest paid Sherpa: We purposely pay our Sherpa more than anyone on the mountain so that they are happy and take care of our clients, and so we can attract the best talent. Our world-class team of Sherpa are hand-picked by Sirdar Tendi Sherpa and CTSS owner Mike Hamill to ensure we have the cream of the crop. They are all close friends who we have complete confidence in. Because they are paid well they go the extra mile to make sure base camp is exceptional and that our clients are extremely well taken care of. Once they’ve been selected for the team, they go through intensive training and a 5-day review process which includes mountain medicine, client care, technical rescue, and guiding principles before being ok’ed to work. We believe in our Sherpa and know that they will do a great job for you and become friends for life.

7)    The Best Food: CTSS has the best chefs and food, hands down. Our teams are consistently blown away by the quality of food and hygiene at base camp. Our head chef trains at 5 star restaurants during the off season. Think lemon crepes, cheese omelets, chicken cordon bleu, pizza, fresh fruit almost daily, fresh salads, steaks, apple pie, fresh croissants and cinnamon rolls, and moist chocolate cake. We can keep quality high because we are a smaller team- in a larger team, quality suffers.

9)    We believe in Team: Part of what makes us so successful at CTSS is our team mentality. We strongly believe working together, supporting each other, and climbing as a cohesive group, both climbers and Sherpa, helps each individual stand on top. 

“The 2018 Cho Oyu expedition was the most organised I’ve ever been on… The transporting of tonnes of kit and provisions across two countries and several landslides was logistical genius. The camp facilities were first rate, with amazing food (plenty of it). Our chefs and kitchen boys ensured there was an endless supply of hot drinks and water.

Our team of Sherpas worked tirelessly. The amount of carrying they did was immense, not to mention effectively leading the line fixing. Their contribution was huge and I can’t thank them enough. Thank you Tendi, and to you Mike. See you on the next one –  Everest hopefully.” -Richard W (UK), 2018 Cho Oyu Client and Summiteer

CTSS prides itself on offering the best expedition at the best price. Because of this we offer many amenities that other companies don’t. We have carefully worked through all of the details of our expedition to offer you every nuance that can help you be successful and comfortable and stripped our program of anything that could hinder you.

“The CTSS Cho Oyu expedition was the most organized I’ve ever been on… The transporting of tonnes of kit and provisions across two countries and several landslides was logistical genius. The camp facilities were first rate, with amazing food (plenty of it). Our chefs and kitchen boys ensured there was an endless supply of hot drinks and water. Our team of Sherpas worked tirelessly. The amount of carrying they did was immense, not to mention effectively leading the line fixing. Their contribution was huge and I can’t thank them enough. Thank you Tendi, and to you Mike. See you on the next one –  Everest hopefully.” -Richard W (UK)

Some of the many amenities in just our base model climbs include:

• Accommodations at a premium hotel in Kathmandu
• Team jackets and hats for all Cho Oyu climbers
• A light weight, state-of-the-art oxygen systems to maximize your summit chances. Our oxygen system weight 4.5kg total as opposed to the much larger American oxygen system that weigh 8.5kg that some companies use. This 4kg/9lb difference make a HUGE difference on summit day when every ounce counts.
• The best weather forecasts money can buy sent to us daily to make sure you get the right weather window.
• A solar array with backup generator for charging devices on international plug adapters
• The most well-trained and highest paid Sherpa on the mountain
• Large single sleeping tents with lush 4” thick sleeping pads that insulate from the cold and a liner on the bottom of the tent to keep out dampness. And of course, a pillow
• Hand wash stations with mirrors in both the foyer of the bathroom and the foyer of the dining room
• Accommodations at some of the nicest hotels in Tibet
• A communications tent with ample charging stations
• A wide array of healthy and nutritious upper mountain food to suit a wide variety of palates.
• A very well-appointed dining tent and hang-out tent.
• A movie projector and speaker system to watch movies in either the hang out tent or the dining tent.
• A two-room toilet tent (one room for hand washing) and sit down toilet
• A hot shower with two rooms: one for changing and one for showering
  

Climbing Cho Oyu requires serious fitness, an ability to perform well at altitude, the mindset to be away from home for 6 weeks, and a desire for rugged adventure travel. Out Tibetan Cultural Trek also requires solid fitness but participants can choose to do as much or as little of the trekking as they like. Tibet is still a very remote and rugged place with few of the creature comforts we have come to expect in the west so don’t plan on being pampered with smooth roads, 5 star hotels, and blazing fast internet. We try to give our climbers all of the creature comforts that we can but at the end of the day this is Tibet, and true adventure travel!

Climbers need solid cramponing skill and familiarity with glacier climbing and fixed line climbing. Trekkers need to be fit and able to carry a pack of around 10 pounds for 4-5 hours. If you want to join this expedition but don’t have these skills, we can work with you to get you up to speed prior to the climbs. Please let us know how we can help!

Our base camp is first rate. We spare little expense making you feel as comfortable as possible. Our top notch cooks make you the healthiest food possible with strong hygiene standards. Each of our climbers has their own tent at base camp where they can feel at home when not socializing in the group dining and hangout tents. We have a state-of-the-art communications tent and make internet available to our guests. We receive up-to-date weather reports and have satellite phones for group use.

In between acclimatization rotations up the mountain we spend time strategizing our weather windows, skills training and troubleshooting to make sure you’re fully prepared for the climb ahead. We find much of the stress of a summit bid can be alleviated by early preparation.

Tentative Itinerary: This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and acclimatization. All climbers need to be adaptable and roll with the schedule if it changes for the benefit of the team. This is adventure travel at it’s best and things never go exactly according to plan!

Day One is the day the team meets in Kathmandu. We recommend climbers arriving to town one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses of this extra day (hotels, food, sightseeing, etc) are the clients responsibility. Please let us know if we need to organize logistics for your early arrival or a single rooming option.

As with all of our programs we strongly recommend you have travel insurance for your Cho Oyu departure that includes trip cancellation as program fees are non-refundable in the instance of your cancellation, unforeseen events beyond our control, including but not limited to, illness, injury, strike, natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorism, flight cancellation, lost or stolen passports, a rejected or denied visa application or climbing permit. 

Our expeditions are fully inclusive except for items/services of a personal nature. Please take note that the following is not included:

How early should I commit to my climb?
We feel that the sooner you commit the better as it gives you more time to prepare mentally and physically for the climb. Climbing Cho Oyu is a big undertaking and something that you will want to work up to consistently. I have found that people are generally more successful when they commit earlier as it gives them longer to shake out any problems that may arise, arrange their home and work life to be away for a number of months, and build their fitness endurance and strength up over time and thereby avoid injury etc.

What’s the best climb to prepare for Cho Oyu?
Lobuche is a great peak to summit as training for Cho Oyu. It provides an intro into technical climbing as well as dealing with altitude. Other great options include Denali, Island Peak, Mera Peak. Our 3 Peaks expedition makes for a perfect stepping stone to an Cho Oyu ascent.

If you’re from the Americas, or simply want and amazing climbing experience, the Ecuadorean Volcanoes is one of the best ways to get a lot of high altitude climbing in a short amount of time and is a crowd favorite. This program also makes for a perfect prerequisite to an Cho Oyu climb.

Will I need to purchase insurance?
Yes, trip insurance is required for this program and it needs to cover the entire cost of the trip and include trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, repatriation, and evacuation for the entire length of the expedition. Please forward a copy of your insurance for our records so that we can help you in the event that it needs to be used during the expedition. Most insurers require us to contact them immediately. For more information on trip insurance please visit the “Trip Insurance” page

What program upgrades are available?
If you would like a more personalized climb we can arrange for you to climb 1:1 with one of our lead Sherpa guides or a Western private guide.

The other main add-on for Cho Oyu programs is single rooming upgrades. Please discuss this add-on with us and we can help you decide if it is right for you.

What’s the acclimatization process?
Our entire expedition including the trip to Base Camp is slow in order to allow our bodies ample time to acclimate. That means there is plenty of down time while your body adjusts. Please bring a few books or movies on your devices and be patient. This is a slow process but it will give you a much better chance at success on the climb and trek. Make sure to communicate with your guides directly if you are experiencing any altitude issues.

How much cash should I bring?
It is better to have more money than you need than not enough, while most things are covered on the trip once you land in Kathmandu (check what’s included/what’s not included list for details) you will still need cash. The cash that you need to bring includes money for visas ($50 for 1 single entry 30 day), Sherpa tip pool ($600+ for climbers and $300 for trekkers), money for staff tips (customary but optional) $200 for potential consultation and treatment by the doctors at base camp, $500 to cover expenses for a potential early departure (not often, but sometimes this occurs) and $1,500 – $5,000 if you think you’ll want a helicopter ride out, $300 for miscellaneous expenses like non-group meals, shopping, drinks around Kathmandu and while on the trip to base camp if you want wifi, sodas, specialty coffees, bottled water, charging of devices or snacks (meals are covered), Generally we recommend bringing $2,000 – $3,000 USD plus a credit card to cover all potential expenses including an early departure but it is unlikely that you will need all of this. Small denominations (1’s, 5’s, 10’s and 20’s) are better and although American dollars are accepted, you can change money into Nepali rupees at change houses when you arrive. Rates are generally about the same and I’ve never encountered one that isn’t legitimate. Also, there are now quite a few ATM’s around town where you can use your card to take out local cash at a good rate. It is much more difficult to change money, especially large sums, once in the Khumbu Valley. Please let your credit card company know you will be traveling so you can use your card (and not set off the fraud alert due to using the card in a foreign country).

How much gear can I bring?
We pay for yak + porter transport for two 50 lbs. duffels (1 x trekking duffel which will travel with you and 1 x climbing duffel which will go straight to base camp) this should be more than enough weight. If you want to bring more than this with you, you will be expected to pay for the excess weight. Just bring what you need to be comfortable but not more than that. It is unlikely that you will need two full duffels for the Cho Oyu climb so please bring only one if you can fit everything into one.

What immunizations do I need?
Make sure your immunizations are up to date. Consult your doctor, local travel clinic, or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for updated information on immunizations for Nepal and China. Recommended immunizations include diphtheria-tetanus (DPT), polio, mumps-measles-rubella (MMR), meningitis, hepatitis A and B, cholera and typhoid, and rabies. Malaria shouldn’t be a problem in Kathmandu or on the climb. If you plan to travel to lower-elevation areas in Nepal before or after the climb, you should consider malaria chemoprophylaxis.

How should I pack?
For the trip to base camp climbers will need to pack in two separate duffels: a Base Camp duffel and a trekking duffel. Climber’s Base Camp duffel will not be accessible while on the trek to Cho Oyu and should contain all of your climbing gear (crampons, axes, down suit etc) and items you won’t need until the mountain. Your trekking duffel will contain everything you will need for the trip to base camp including your trekking gear, rain gear, street clothes, and a light sleeping bag. Please keep everything you will need with you such as medications and medical supplies. What will go in your trekking and base camp duffels will be covered in more detail in Kathmandu. Pack an additional small lightweight duffel in your luggage to leave street, travel clothes and things you won’t need on the expedition at the hotel in Kathmandu.

I have dietary requirements, can you cater for those?
Yes, our chefs are amazing and are well versed in catering for a wide variety of dietary requirements and allergies. On the trek we order a la carte so you can choose what you like and what you need to avoid. Please feel free to chat to us about your needs.

Why do I need to bring my own snacks?
We do provide a selection of snacks for the mountain and will have lots of good stuff but we want to make sure everyone has the food that they need. Even people who aren’t usually picky about food can get really particular about what they can digest on Cho Oyu due to the extreme altitude and getting lots of calories is hugely important. Gu packs, shot blocks, nuts, Snickers bars, cheese, etc… whatever it is that you know you can eat when you don’t want to eat anything is best. Getting speciality and familiar food can be difficult in Nepal so it’s best you bring what you love from home. Also, bring a good supply of cough drops or hard candy as you might like them in the dry air. We’ll have some for the team but people seem to go through them really quickly.

Will I be sharing a tent?
There will be times on the mountain where you will need to share a tent with another climber to reduce the number of dangerous loads the Sherpa need to carry. It’s also a lot warmer and safer when you can keep an eye on each other.

What’s the deal with blog updates?
We know family and friends will want to follow your progress so we will be posting regular updates to the Climbing the Seven Summits blog here: https://climbingthesevensummits.com/blog/ We try to update it as often as possible but make sure your loved ones know that ‘no news is good news’. If a few days pass between updates it doesn’t mean that anything is wrong, simply that we are probably busy climbing.

One cannot underestimate the importance of having the right team of Sherpas to support a Cho Oyu bid.

Sherpas are integral to almost any aspect of a Cho Oyu expedition and perform crucial roles as climbing partners such as carrying loads and fixing ropes on the mountain, organizing gear and building camps amongst many other jobs. You will quickly notice not only their importance but also their many other positive traits: hard work, humility, friendliness, gregariousness, not to mention strength.

Our team of Sherpa is simply the cream of the crop and are lead by our sirdar Tendi Sherpa. Tendi has notched a dozen Everest summits on both the south and north sides of the mountain beyond many other summits worldwide. Tendi is an internationally certified guide, co-owns a logistics company based in Kathmandu and is among the best in the business.

“Tendi Sherpa – a truly amazing person and an inspirational leader… It is plain to see that the leaders of the other guiding companies hold him in the highest regard. As a client that gives you great confidence in your leader’s decision making. It was that decision making that made it such a successful trip. Thank you Tendi.” -Richard W

He holds his team of Sherpa to the same high standard to which he holds himself and hand picks only the strongest, most skilled and trusted Sherpa friends. Tendi and his team will work hard to make your climb of Cho Oyu a success, and they are likely to become friends for life.

Our Sherpa Team in the eyes of our clients

“Our team of Sherpas worked tirelessly. The amount of carrying they did was immense, not to mention effectively leading the line fixing. Their contribution was huge and I can’t thank them enough.” Richard W, Cho Oyu Client and Summiteer

“I have been on many expeditions, and Tendi was by far the best, most knowledgeable and experienced guide I have ever had. He was personable, interesting, had great attention to details and most of all inspirational. Although I didn’t summit Cho Oyu due to ongoing health issues (the rest of the team made it up), I had an amazing time under his leadership and would recommend him to anyone. As a whole, our CTSS team had the best chance on the mountain by a mile. We had the strongest support, a great deal of experience behind us and a leader with a whole lot of heart.” -Ross V

“Tendi is a true superstar of the Himalayas. 

Under his ever watchful eye, he allowed me to build confidence, learn new skills and gain faith in myself. Seemingly everywhere at once, Tendi was always there ready and willing to assist me on how to climb smarter and safer. 

Kind, inspiring, courteous, strong and always smiling. There are truly no words I can write that do him justice. I look forward to more climbs with Tendi in the future.” – Peter W